Psychoanalytic literary criticism

Psychoanalytic literary criticism applies the ideas of psychology, particularly those of Sigmund Freud, to analyze literature. It explores how characters’ motivations, desires, and conflicts can reflect unconscious processes, often relating to childhood experiences, dreams, or hidden fears. This approach considers how an author's psyche influences their writing and how readers might project their own feelings onto a text. By examining these psychological elements, critics can uncover deeper meanings in literature, revealing insights about human behavior, relationships, and societal norms. Essentially, it connects literature to the complexities of the human mind.